Woman's Inequality
(Descompasso de uma Mulher)
They want me to be a mother
Then they want me to be a vixen.
They want me to be a leader
Then they make me submissive.
They have me omitted
Then they charge me for participation.
They impede me from going
Then they charge me for seeking.
They restrict my movements
Then they want me to be agile.
They castrate my desire
Then they want me hot with lust.
They take from me my song
Then they want from me music.
They imprison me in a chastity belt
Then they charge me for freedom.
They impose upon me models, gestures, attitudes and behaviour
Then they want me to be unique.
They castrate me, they restrict me, they speak for me and they decide for me
Then they want me to be complete and absolute.
Such inequality!
— Author unknown, ca. 1920
— English translation from Portuguese by Ælfscine (2007)